Metal aeroplane wing



June 17, 1930. H, G, LANDS l y 1,765,079

METAL AAAAAAAAAAA NG Fi l e d D ec, 13, 1929 3 She Sheet 1 l' $51" @OA/Q v 1 l 'Attol um,

June 17, 1930, H, Q LA'NDlS 1,765,079

METAL AEROPLANE WING VFiled Dec. 13, 1929 :5 sheets-sheet 2 /6 /2 I I glwuevnlop EL @Ip/7075 y Patented June 17, 1930 HARRY G. LANDIS, OF MARSHALL, MISSOURI METAL AEROPLAN E G Applicationled December 13, 1929. Serial No. 413,921.

This invention relates to the manufacture of aeroplane wings, and has for an object the construction of an all metal wing that is exceedingly strong, easy-to manufacture, cheap,

light in weight, and comprising only two major elements-a thin metal cover. and a.

stamped one piece spar and brace work.

Other objects of this invention will become apparent as the description thereof. given hereunder proceeds, reference being now had t-o the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a plan view 'of a stamped sheet combination spar and brace, prior to formmg.

Figure 2 is a partial perspective View of the same, formed into the shape of a truss.

Figure "3 is a cross-sectional view of an aeroplane wing. i'

Figure 4 is a partial plan view thereof.

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of a modified form of wing.

Figure 6 is a partial plan View thereof.

Figure 7 is a detailview taken on line 7 7,

Figure 5..

The internal supporting structure of the contemplated aeroplane wing comprises ay one piece sheet metal stamping 10, shown in Figure 1, so stamped as to form a plurality of 30.`evenly spaced equal diagonal braces 11 and 12 throughout 'the entire surface thereof.

Separating transverse rows or bays of said diagonal braces are parallel beams or spars 13, and at right angles thereto separating longitudinal rows or bays of said diagonal braces are spaced parallel strutsll.

The stamping 10 is bent or formed into the form of a truss 10', as shown in Figure 2, in

such a manner that the transverse rows of diagonal struts are inclined at an angle towards each other, the beams or spars 13 assuming a U-shape. Prior to inclining or bending the stamping 10, each strut 14`is provided with a central depressed corrugation 15, so that the same will withstand compressive stress and prevent any lateral buckling in the stamping 10. If desired, each row or bay oftransverse ydiagonal braces may be made of a different length, so that the truss 10 when formed will 60 be of varying height or the angle of inclina'- .perfectly smooth throughout.

tion between lthe inclined bays may be varied to accomplish the same effect.

The width of the stam ing 10 or truss 10 is substantially equal to t e length of a wing 16, which is formed by attaching a thin metal cover 17 to the U-shaped beams 13 of the truss 10 as by spot welding or rivets. To prevent any buckling of the cover 17 the same is provided with spaced longitudinal corrugations 1'8 as shown in Figures 3 and 4. It has been found advantageous at times to use va metal cover the surface of .which is In' order to use this form of cover 20 (Figure 5) a plurality of transversely spaced channel ribs 21 65 are used which are provided on the flanges 22 thereof with depressions 23 adapted to closely lit over the U-shaped beams 13 of the truss 10 shown in dotted lines in said figure. Over each of said depressions 23 is formed a lat 70 portion24 flush with the web of the channel 21 to provide a large area of contact between said channel and said metal cover.

The ribs4 21 are positioned on the truss 10 and completely encircle the same, and are secured thereto in any desired manner, as by spot welding or rivets. r1`he metal cover 20 is then placed over said ribs 2l and is securely attached thereto either by spot Welding or countersunk rivets (not shown).

While preferred 'embodiments of metall aeroplane wing constructions have been disclosed, the same is susceptible of numerous modifications within the scope of the appended claims. i

Having thus describcdmy invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. An aeroplane wing consisting of a rigid one-piece metal truss member comprising a plurality of bays, each bay formed of a plurality of equally1 spaced pairs of diagonal braces, said bays inclined at an ang-lc toward each other, U-shaped beams connecting adjoining upper and lower ends of said bays 3 and integral therewith, Aa corrugated vertical strut between cach pair of said diagonal braces integral therewith and extending from an upper U-shaped beam to a lower U-shapcd beam, and a metal cover positioned over said 1v truss f member and rigidly attached `thereto. 2. An aeroplane wing consisting of a rigid one-piece metal truss member comprising a plurality of bays,;each bay formed of a plurality of equally spaced pairs of diagonal braces, said bays inclined at an angle towardl leach other, U-shaped beams connecting adjoining upper and lower ends of said bays and integral therewith, a corrugated vertical strut between each pair of said diagonal braces integral therewith and extending from an'upper U-shaped beam to a lower U- shaped beam, a metal cover positioned over said truss member and rigidly attached thereto, saidcover having formed thereon spaced lou -tudinal corrugations .to increase the rigldity thereof. .l

3. An aeroplane wing consistingof a rigid one-piece metal truss member comprising a plurality of ba s, each bay formed of a plurality of e ually spaced pairs of diagonal lbraces, said ays inclined at an angle toward i joining up each other, U-shaped beams connecting adjoining upper and lower ends of said bays and integral therewith, a corrugated vertical strut between each air of said diagonal braces inte al therewit 1 and extendinr from an upper -shaped beam to a lower U-'sliaped beam, a metal coverositioned over said truss member and rigidly attached thereto,

said corrugated struts in different bays beingl in ali ment with each other.

4. aeroplane wing consisting of a rigid one-piece metal'truss member comprisin a plurality of ba s, each bay formed of a p urality of equal y spaced longitudinal braces separated b pairs of intersecting diagonal braces, said ays inclined at an angle toward each other, U-sha d beams connecting adjoining upperand ower ends of said bays and land integral therewith.

-g'ether, each of said ribs circlingy the same, and a flat metal cover positioned over said ribs, said cover, ribs and truss member being rigidly connected together.

7. An aeroplane wing consisting of a yrigid one-piece metal truss member comprising` a plurality of bays, each bay formed of a plurality of equally spaced pairs of diagonal braces, said bays inclined towards each other,` U-shaped beams connecting adjoining upper and lower ends of said bays and integral therewith, a corrugated vertical strut between each pair of said diagonal braces integral therewith and extending from an upper U-shaped beam, to a lower U-shaped beam, a pluralit of channel shaped ribs positioned over sald truss and completely en- .'circling the same, a at metal cover positioned'over said ribs,` said cover, rib's and 5. aeroplane wingconsisting of a rigid v one-piece metal truss member comprisin a i plurality of ba s, each ba formed of ap urality of equaly' spaced ongitudinal braces separated by pairs of intersecting diagonal braces, sald ays inclined atan angle toward each other, U-shapedbeams connecting adand integra therewith, and a cover positioned over said truss member and rigidly attached thereto.

6 An laeroplane wing consisting of a rigid4 one-piece metal truss member compris- 'mg' a plurality of bays, each bay formed of a plurality of equally spaced pairs of diagonal braces, said bays inclined towards each other, U-shaped beams connecting adjoining upper and lower ends of said bays and interrugated vertical strut l therewith, la co tween each pair of said diagonal braces integral therewith and extendln'g from an upper U-shaped'bea-m to -a lower U-shaped b ea rn, a plurality of channel shaped ribs positloned over said truss and completely enr and lower ends of said baysl to said cover and said truss mem- 

